Geography

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Pre-Prep

Geography is a focus within the curriculum for understanding and resolving issues about the environment and sustainable development.

It is also an important link between the natural and social sciences. As pupils study geography, they encounter different societies and cultures. It can inspire them to think about their own place in the world, their values, and their rights and responsibilities to other people and the environment. They begin to realise how nations rely on each other and this can inspire them to think about their own place in the world, their values, and their rights and responsibilities to other people and the environment.

The geography curriculum aims to ensure that pupils:

develop knowledge of the location of globally significant places

understand the processes that give rise to key physical and human geographical features of the world

are competent in the geographical skills needed to:

collect, analyse and communicate with a range of data gathered through experiences of fieldwork

In the foundation stage, geography is studied as part of the "understanding of the world". Children are encouraged to observe, identify and find out about differences between features of the local environment. Discussion about where they live, the houses they live in and their journey to school provide a starting point for geographical studies.

Through Year 1 to Year 3, pupils investigate their local area and the UK. They learn about the wider world in which they live and are encouraged to ask geographical questions about people, places and environments, and use geographical skills and resources such as maps and photographs.

"Geography is a living, breathing subject and constantly adapting itself to change. It is dynamic and relevant. For me, geography is a great adventure with a purpose."

–Michael Palin

Prep School

Geography is a great adventure and here we hope the boys can discover this.

In the classroom, the teachers use a range of teaching styles to inspire the pupils. From visual learning tools, interactive activities and computing to outdoor fieldwork, the boys will be guided through a geographic journey.

We aim to stimulate curiosity about the world, introduce boys to a variety of places, people and environments, and contribute to their environmental awareness and education of sustainable development. We develop an understanding of physical and human landscapes, and introduce boys to different societies and cultures, enhancing their awareness of global interdependence.

Pupils are encouraged to ask geographical questions and undertake enquiries inside and outside the classroom about places, people and environments. They will analyse evidence, make decisions and evaluate information, ideas and opinions, using skills specific to geography, including those of fieldwork and map work and drawing on many different sources and resources, such as maps and atlases, photographs and written and visual materials, including the use of computing.

Topics studied

Year 4

Our world

The United Kingdom

Europe

Africa

Year 5

Volcanoes and earthquakes

Weather

Climate

Map skills

Year 6

Meteorological processes

Ordnance Survey map work

Geomorphological processes

UK locations

These are ISEB Common Entrance topics.

Year 7

Transport and industry (Economic processes)

Tectonic processes

ISEB coursework (20% of examination)

Global locations

These are ISEB Common Entrance topics.

Year 8

Demographic processes (Population and settlement)

Revision of ISEB themes

13+ examination preparation

Global locations

These are ISEB Common Entrance topics.

Links

An extremely helpful resource for boys is the ISEB Geography syllabus. This includes a wealth of terms, definitions and the entirety of the 13+ Common Entrance geography course expectations.

Trips

In the junior years, many of the trips are cross-curricular. Visits to Kew Gardens and Hampton Court and PGL trips aim to enhance geographic skills and understanding.

In Year 6, the boys visit the Thames Explorer in Chiswick, London to complete a day of fieldwork, investigating the River Thames and the flood defences in place.

In Year 7, the boys complete their ISEB coursework in Wales on a residential trip. This is a chance to study and record data as well as to enjoy time with their friends and explore the beautiful Ogmore Valley.

In Year 8, the trips tend to vary. We have visited The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London, The Royal Geographical Society, and the Museum of London.